Letters to The EDITOR: Postage stamp on Patharughat

Postage stamp on Patharughat

The Department of Posts, under the Ministry of Communication, Government of India, has again taken a significant decision to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the Patharughat Peasants’ Uprising of Darrang, Assam. The issuing of the stamp by the department would definitely be a praiseworthy step in recognition of the enduring legacy of the unsung 140 martyrs ahead of the annual celebration of the historic incident on January 28 at the martyrs ground of Patharughat in Darrang district. Earlier, in January last year, the Department of Posts released a commemorative postal envelope on this very uprising and in poignant memory of the great souls. The steps that show the keenness and good gesture of the central government to the golden legacy of the country as well as our state, at the initiative of the competent stakeholders, are appreciable. Both the state and central governments have the commitment to carry forward the legacy to the national forefront. They should accord national recognition to each of the bravehearts of the Patharughat Peasants’ Uprising as early as possible with proper research. The burial ground of the martyrs and the entire complex should be at par with national or international standards with ideal beautification and road connectivity all around, including Patharughat PWD Inspection Bungalow and Patharughat HS School, the lone century-old premier educational institution where the martyrs column and name slate were first erected prior to the development of the martyrs’ burial ground just a few years back. The burial ground of both the Hindu and Muslim martyrs remained deserted till the end of the twentieth century. The present martyrs’ column at the site was built by the Indian Army, which was inaugurated by late Governor SK Sinha on January 28, 2001. The same column is expected to appear on the Indian postage stamp very soon in the new year, the act for which the people of Darrang as well as the state should feel proud and remain grateful to the Department of Posts, Government of India. The buildings and projects inside the present campus are not sufficient and up to the mark, though they are serving minimal services to peasants and the general public. The concerned stakeholders should take some bold steps to pressurise the central government to do the needful in this regard in order to make Patharughat a place of historical importance at the national level. It has become an established fact that the Patharughat Peasants’ Uprising had taken place 25 years before the infamous Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, which can be termed as a precursor to the Civil Disobedience Movement and the non-violent Freedom Movement under Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation.

Kulendra Nath Deka
Dighirpar, Mangaldai

Zakir Hussain’s legacy 

 The passing away of 73-year-old Ustad Zakir Hussain, the globally revered tabla virtuoso, on December 16 at a hospital in San Francisco, is an irreparable loss to the field of world music. Known for his amazing fingerwork and rhythmic brilliance, he brought the tabla to a global stage, collaborating with some of the world’s finest musicians.
His gargantuan contribution to music was recognised with Padma Vibhushan awards and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award.
On the global stage, he was a four-time Grammy Award winner. His unparalleled skills earned him the reputation of a “fearsome technician” and a “whimsical inventor.”

Beyond his musical prowess, his life was a testament to the power of dedication, passion, and cultural exchange. His influence extended beyond the concert stage, as he mentored countless young musicians and left an indelible mark on the world of music education.
His collaborations spanned various genres, from traditional Indian classical music to jazz, rock, and film scores, making him a true ambassador of global musical harmony. As fans, fellow musicians, and admirers around the world mourn his loss, his legacy remains a lasting symbol of the power of music to transcend borders and unite people across cultures.

In his career spanning over six decades, he worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with the English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L. Shankar, and percussionist T.H. ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical music with elements of jazz by forming the band Shakti, in a fusion hitherto unknown.

He started playing the tabla at the age of 3 and started touring at the age of 11. His mentor was his father, tabla maestro Ustad Allah Rakha.

Jubel D’Cruz,

(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)

Stigma of witchcraft

It is deplorable and disgusting that the primitive and evil practice of “witch hunting” continues to thrive in parts of India. Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Assam are some of the worst affected states. Unfortunately, only seven states in the country have criminalised witchcraft. A recent report of a research trust on 114 villages of Bihar does not inspire confidence in India’s endeavour to end the evil practice. The report has said that nearly 2 women per village constantly live under the fear of being accused as witches. More than 70,000 women, especially those in the 45-65 age group, do not know what’s next; they are under the “radar” of witch hunters. These women are verbally, physically, and mentally harassed and abused.

Not surprisingly, socioeconomically challenged and marginalised sections of the society are the favourite targets of the abusers for obvious reasons. That an Adivasi woman was burnt alive by a group of men, in front of her husband, suspecting her to practice “witchcraft” in Assam’s Sonitpur district in December last is still fresh in memory. Though it is indisputable that the heinous practice is attributed to superstition, illiteracy, and backwardness, several mass campaigns by the authorities and the non-governmental organisations to create awareness among the gullible have not clicked in a big way. Community programmes and participation are critical to bringing the culprits to book and eliminating the despicable practice.

Dr Ganapathi Bhat

(gbhat13@gmail.com)

Unlocking the power of AI

AI has been a topic of fascination for decades, and its potential to transform our world has never been more exciting. From virtual assistants to self-driving cars, AI is increasingly becoming an integral part of our daily lives.

AI refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem solving, and decision-making. These systems use algorithms and data to make predictions, classify objects, and generate insights.

One of the latest and most prominent applications of AI is in the area of autonomous vehicles. Autonomous vehicles, also known as self-driving cars, are vehicles that can operate without human intervention using a combination of sensors, algorithms, and machine learning models to perceive the environment, make decisions, and control the vehicle. AI is also revolutionising the health care industry, transforming the way medical professionals diagnose and manage diseases. In conclusion, AI is transforming the world at an unprecedented rate. While there are valid concerns about job displacement and bias, AI also offers numerous opportunities for growth, innovation, and improvement.

Bastav Kumar Baruah 

Gauhati University